No 'Criminal Conduct' In Death Of La Crosse Student: Police

LA CROSSE, WI — The death of Eliotte Heinz, the Viterbo University student found in the Mississippi River last week, does not appear to involve criminal conduct, La Crosse police said.

“Based on the preliminary autopsy results, we do not believe there was any criminal conduct related to Eliotte's death,” the department said in an update. "Final autopsy results will not be completed for several months."

The case remains an open investigation, police noted, and authorities are continuing to follow up on information surrounding Heinz’s disappearance and death.

Heinz, 22, was reported missing after she was last seen around 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, walking alone in the 500 block of Front Street South in downtown La Crosse. Her body was recovered on Wednesday morning in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota.

La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said at the time the department had hoped for a different outcome and expressed condolences to Heinz’s family and friends.

Heinz was a student at Viterbo University, which said it will host a memorial service this fall. The university praised the local community for showing compassion and support during the days-long search effort.